A 42-year-old Mexican citizen was in custody Friday after being arrested by El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents for allegedly smuggling nearly 120 pounds of methamphetamine into the United States, authorities said.
The woman, driving a black compact sedan, was stopped shortly after noon Tuesday at an immigration checkpoint on Highway 86, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
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A K-9 unit alerted agents to the possible presence of concealed people or drugs, authorities said in a statement. Agents found 120 packages of a "crystal-like substance wrapped in cellophane and hidden in a vehicle compartment."
The substance tested positive for methamphetamine, and the drugs had an estimated street value of $105,000, border patrol officials said.
The woman, who lived in Bakersfield, admitted to law enforcement that she was in the country without legal documentation, authorities said.
The vehicle and the 119.5 pounds of drugs were seized, and the woman was arrested, according to border patrol officials.
Authorities did not release the woman's name.
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